Data Warehousing

A data warehouse is a computer system used to collect and store data and information regarding customers or clients of a business organization. Data warehousing is a tool used in the accounting industry. While doing research, I came across an article entitled "At Your Fingertips: The Next Generation of Usage in Data Warehousing". This article was written by Gail Perry, in the Spring 2005 Issue of The Accounting today Marketplace. The article discussed the various uses of data warehouses, including the ability to use Online Analytical Protocol (OLAP) to collect certain information needed from multiple places. Data warehouses allows users to perform queries to collect relationships between data that may not be stored in exactly the same place. The system collects information from different databases to form new relationships between the data. There is also a feature known as a dashboard, which can tell a company where they are in relation to measurable goals they have set for themselves. The article also discusses costs involved with implementing the system, which can be expensive, but varies depending upon the quantity and complexity of the data. Finally, the author discusses the importance of understanding the reasons for the need of a data warehouse. Companies should be aware of why they need the system and how they can benefit before implementing it.

These types of data warehouses are used at the organizations of the accounting firm's clients. Accountants need to know how to access information from client's data warehouses in order to retrieve necessary data for services performed, such as audits. From personal experience, I have had the opportunity to do just this. While auditing a client in the automobile industry, I was able to access information regarding the company's tire inventory to obtain information needed for our audit. When clients have successfully implemented data warehouse systems, information is easily available to auditors which allows the audit process to run smoothly. Auditors realize the potential in these systems, and attempt to portray that to their clients. Accounting firms typically have clients in all industries, including automotive, manufacturing and distribution industries. Clients in these industries will typically have numerous amounts of data to be stored and evaluated, and can benefit from a data warehouse system.